[Cowperson]

- OJ trial verdict: It was early morning on Maui. We waited for the verdict which I believe was about 8 a.m. local time, were astonished and then went out to enjoy a Hawaiian day.

- Princess Diana death: I had a new computer and was testing dial-up by looking at USA Today's website on the internets. Marvelous thing!! And saw the headline of an accident, then ran to the TV to watch the coverage.

- 9/11: I had just turned onto the highway from my country aerie when I heard news of the first plane. I was almost at my office in a rural community when I heard news of the second plane and then, everyone knew it was an attack and not an accident. No tv at the office and the internets were jammed but finally figured out CNN Financial was a way to see the first images. Cancelled an appointment for the morning and went home. Mrs. Cowperson had been watching people falling to their deaths when I got there. Watched the towers fall. Went to New York and saw the site a few years later.

- Canada hockey gold in Vancouver: Standing out in my field. Couldn't stand to watch.
- Gretzky trade: Didn't care.
Flames eliminating the Canucks in OT, game 7, 2004: Listening on the radio as I worked on my computer. Neither Mrs. Cowperson and I could watch anymore after the late tying goal. When Gelinas scored we both got in front of the TV and watched the celebration.
- Challenger explosion: In the newsroom of a daily newspaper and saw the first words crossing my screen. "The Space Shuttle Challenger has exploded over south Florida. Details to follow." That took a few seconds to settle in then all hell broke loose.

- 1st Iraq Gulf war: Long expected so the actual moment was anti-climatic. Can't remember where I was.

Other events that I’ll never forget:

- Leafs win Stanley Cup, 1967 - my mother was crying in a cloud of cigarette smoke as our grainy, 13 inch black and white television showed the final moments in a dimly lit living room. Scarred me for life.

- Paul Henderson scores in Moscow - I had walked home from school for lunch and started back to school when it was 5-3. Classes were forgotten and every room at school had a television in it. I watched Henderson score at school with kids and teachers cheering. Just like every other kid in Canada that day.

- Elvis dies - Working as a farm hand in the summer, standing outside on a lawn tossing a ball back and forth with the owner when the wife comes out and tells us the news. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day.

Cowperson